This paper investigates the role of cohesion in oral proficiency testing. This study analyzed the cohesion of oral reports given by 16 Cypriot high school students studying English as a foreign language (EFL) using a modification of M. A. K. Halliday and R. Hasan's rating scale. It then compared the objective cohesion ratings with impressionistic grades of cohesion assigned by three experienced raters. Although the results of the study were not conclusive, it was found that the only objective cohesive device that correlated with raters' grades for cohesion was the use of referential pronouns. The strengths and weaknesses of the objective rating scale are discussed. Seven appendixes reproduce models of communicative competence, test format, objective rating scales, data summaries and correlation matrixes. (MDM)